Meet Niki Dougal | Ceramic Artist, Painter & Art Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Niki Dougal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niki, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Create to connect, to inspire, and to be seen. Success may or may not follow, but create anyway! This affirmation is a reminder to myself that the world needs my particular voice. Going viral with my art is much less important than being vulnerable in my creative process. Great art connects people through emotion. It makes people feel and experience things they might not otherwise. When I put my heart and my story into what I create, I know it is great art! And that is how creatives change the world. Sometimes just one person at a time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional journey, in all honesty, is just beginning. I came into my art career much later in life, well into my forties. Although I studied art as a young adult, when college rolled around I chose psychology instead of art. After graduation, life took a different turn and I spent the next 25 years at home practicing psychology on my husband and five children. I fell in love with photography and became a part time photographer and later, a martial arts instructor. Both careers fulfilled my need for creativity and fit well into a fast paced family lifestyle. Fast forward a few years and, as many of us do in our 40’s or 50’s, I went through a time of great transition. Here is where my passion and love for the arts took a central role in my life again. I spent a year creating art that documented my mental health struggles. I painted the pain, the past, the darkness, and eventually the healing, wholeness, and joy that followed. My ability to express emotion and story through art was pivotal in my own healing journey. It’s something I feel called to share with the world. I am committed to the idea that true, authentic creating requires the courage to be vulnerable. It’s setting the fear of being truly seen aside, and putting your heart out into the world. We connect, we inspire, and we change the people and world around us when we create.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start the morning with a little paddle boarding on Chatfield Reservoir. They raised the water level a couple years ago and paddling in between the trees is magical. We’d find a secluded spot and just lay in the sun and meditate on our boards for 30 minutes before heading back. Then tea and brunch at Gypsy House Cafe. The vibe there is fantastic. There’s a room in the back full of eclectic old furniture where you can sit and chat for as long as you like. If the dates line up, we would spend the evening at the Santa Fe Art District. On First Friday, many artists open their back studios and we could wander and explore the behind the scenes art world.

Another evening activity would be to visit the wood firing kiln at Arapahoe Community College. Not many people get to experience the size and scope of a late night wood fire.

Next day we’d visit Yazoo for lunch and get some barbecue. And then a visit to Smash It Breakroom in Denver. It’s a great place to let off steam. And I’d definitely pay extra to get a large item and extra mugs to break (choose the baseball bat because the crow bar is no bueno).

If my bestie still had energy the next day we’d grab sandwiches at Snarfs and head to Boulder to do the Royal Arch Trail. The stairs are a great workout and the arch at the end is worth every step!

In winter, we would cross country ski at Tennessee Pass. I’d call ahead and get a reservation at their Cookhouse. You have to ski or snowshoe in for lunch in a Yurt. Cool atmosphere and delicious food! Then we’d finish by staying the night in one of their overnight yurts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest shoutout goes to my husband and partner in crime, Brent Dougal. Twenty five years of marriage, five children, and a mountain of highs and lows under our belt and he is still my biggest supporter and fan. It’s thanks to him that I have the freedom and time to create. I’d also like to give a shout out to Michael Kass, my Life Coach. He taught me the value of being Present and Aware. He encouraged me to believe in my gifts and even more importantly, to share them with the world. And finally I’d like to give a shoutout to the many fantastic art teachers and mentors I’ve found at Arapahoe Community College. Their teaching, support, and encouragement have been inspiring.

Instagram: nikidougal_studio